Latest Florida state government News
Florida's new state lawmakers may test DeSantis' influence in final years of his term
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida’s upcoming legislative session could test Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis ’ influence in the state, on the back of his failed attempt to challenge President-elect Donald Trump for the Republican nomination and as he considers his political future beyond the...
Trump picks Matt Gaetz for attorney general, Marco Rubio for secretary of state
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump chose Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to serve as his attorney general on Wednesday, bypassing more experienced options in favor of a loyalist who has built a national reputation as a disruptor and whom Trump has tasked with dramatically...
Prominent conservative lawyer Ted Olson, who argued Bush recount and same-sex marriage cases, dies
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former U.S. Solicitor General Ted Olson, who served two Republican presidents as one of the country’s best known conservative lawyers and successfully argued on behalf of same-sex marriage, died Wednesday. He was 84. The law firm Gibson Dunn, where Olson...
Another Florida college taps a former state lawmaker to be its next president
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A Republican former state lawmaker in northwest Florida who has never worked in academia is poised to become the latest in a string of conservative politicians taking the helm of public colleges and universities in the state. The board of Northwest Florida...
AP Race Call: Democrat Darren Soto wins reelection to U.S. House in Florida's 9th Congressional District
Democratic Rep. Darren Soto won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing Florida on Tuesday. Soto was first elected in 2016. His district stretches from eastern Orlando past Kissimmee. It is plurality Hispanic and solidly Democratic. Before being elected to Congress, Soto served in both chambers of the...
Florida prosecutor says 17-year-old suspect in Halloween fatal shootings will be charged as adult
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A 17-year-old suspect in a shooting that killed two people and wounded seven others during a Halloween celebration that drew 75,000 revelers to the streets of downtown Orlando, Florida, last week has been charged as an adult, a prosecutor said Monday. Jaylen...
Shootings kill 2 and wound 7 during Halloween celebrations in Orlando
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A gunman who opened fire during a Halloween street celebration that drew thousands of costumed revelers to downtown Orlando killed two people and wounded seven others early Friday, authorities said. Officers quickly arrested a 17-year-old male suspect, police...
Former Florida college student charged in the death of a baby found in a trash can
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A former Florida college student is facing several charges in the death of her newborn infant, whose body was found wrapped in a towel in a trash can. Investigators said Friday that Brianna Moore, 19, is charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child, child...
Florida government finds fault with abortion ballot measure over ads and petitions
Florida's government is finding fault on multiple fronts with an abortion rights ballot measure that Gov. Ron DeSantis opposes. This month, the state health department has been telling television stations they could be subject to criminal charges if they continue airing one ad from...
Obama’s callout to Black men touches a nerve among Democrats. Is election-year misogyny at play?
WASHINGTON (AP) — Barack Obama had frank words for Black men who may be considering sitting out the election. “Part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you’re coming up with other alternatives and other...
